Photo by Gary Lloyd.
The Hewitt-Trussville High School class of 1964 recently had its 60-year reunion.
Some came from just down the street. Some came all the way from Missouri.
But it was clear that the couple dozen members of Hewitt-Trussville High School’s class of 1964, regardless of their point of origin, wanted to be there.
The Hewitt-Trussville High class of 1964 held its 60-year reunion in late June in Trussville, first meeting up at Heritage Hall to look at old class photos, peruse yearbooks and catch up on life events. The highlight, of course, was walking a few hundred feet to Cahaba Elementary School, their former high school building, and rediscovering some memories.
“Coming back to this school is always very special for me,” said Doug Purcell, who has called Eufaula home for 52 years. “A lot of memories. It’s great to be back here with my classmates on our 60th anniversary. I look forward to seeing most of them, if not all of them, in five more years.”
Mary Biggs came from St. Louis to talk with old friends and walk those halls again. She told a story of her time learning ballet and finally deciding, as a sophomore, to become a majorette. She worked hard, learning to twirl that baton.
“But it was so much fun,” she said. “It was a fun thing to do.”
Mike Larson, like many of his classmates, grew up in Trussville before leaving home for college.
I love this school, love this town, love its people. Its people have really made this town what it is, and I think we all agree that it is a very, very special place to grow up, to live and to raise our children.
Judy Littlefield
“It’s the greatest town for any small boy to grow up in,” he said. “It’s really great being here at the reunion, seeing people who look just about the same as they did before. That’s kind of nice. We’re not necessarily aging that bad.”
Richard Kimbrell said the class of 1964 graduation ceremony could not be held inside the school and was moved to the nearby football stadium because the school was host to a large crowd that came to see George Wallace, the Alabama governor who at the time was challenging Lyndon B. Johnson for the Democratic nomination for president.
“Nobody came to see us walk across that stage,” Kimbrell joked. “But it was fun. Going to school here was a great experience, and I am so glad they have preserved this building.”
Judy Littlefield echoed Kimbrell, saying that it was great to see the school’s heritage had been honored for all these years.
“I’m just really happy to be here today,” she said. “I love this school, love this town, love its people. Its people have really made this town what it is, and I think we all agree that it is a very, very special place to grow up, to live and to raise our children.”
